NHER 6765 (Building record) - St Margaret's Church, Thorpe Market

The current church of St Margaret was built in 1796, although it is believed that a church has stood on this site since the Late Saxon period. In 2002 the foundations of the former 15th century west tower were discovered, and floor tiles and other material from the medieval period were recovered, indicating solid evidence for a medieval church. However, the present church is particularly important as an example of the Gothick style, and being built at the end of the 18th century is almost unique in Norfolk, where hardly any churches were constructed at that time. Some minor alterations took place in 1892, but the church retains its original design. It is almost exactly symmetrical, with small octagonal towers on each corner and porches on the south side to east and west. The church is largely of flint with stone details, and is the work of an unknown architect simply referred to as Mr Wood. Inside some of the glass from the original church survives, and screens at both ends reflect the outer symmetry. Set away from the main village, this church is a delightful example of a rarely seen architectural style.